When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 It is easy to be overwhelmed … Continue reading Minute Devotions: Fearless
Sunday is here. I often think of the despair and heartache the disciples felt on Friday as they watched Jesus on the cross. Taking His last breath, I imagine they looked on in disbelief. How could this have happened? The Messiah they had waited for, dead. Hope for freedom, gone. As they retreated to their safe place of hiding, I imagine they would have felt a heartache so deep, they felt it to the depths of their soul. As I read the gospels, I want to scream at them to hold on because hope is not lost. We know what … Continue reading Because He lives.
There are a lot of hurting people around. The last few weeks, as I’ve looked around, I have seen so much hurt and pain. I see my own hurt and pain. I see the pain of those around me. I … Continue reading Hurt and hope
I’m going to preface this blog with a couple of things. Firstly, this is part of a new series I’m writing called The Waiting Room. Secondly, it’s a bit of a long post, so settle in and enjoy. And thirdly, … Continue reading The Waiting Heart
Well, happy new year, folks. 2018 is well and truly behind us and we’ve settled into 2019. A new year, new opportunities and new seasons. I’ve been reflecting on 2018 and must say, it was a hard year. I remember sitting in a hotel in New Zealand towards the end of the year talking to a friend of mine in the US and she was praying for me. It was a sweet prayer, but one line stuck with me: “Lord, would you help her because she is battle weary.” Battle weary. As she prayed those words, I felt the weight … Continue reading A year of hope.
Yet another Christmas has come and gone for another year. For most of us, Christmas was spent with loved ones, sitting around a meal exchanging presents and just relaxing. It was spent attending church services and reading prayers and giving thanks. For many, it was a sweet day reflecting on the love of God, sent to us in the form of a baby born in a manger. While for many of us it was and is an exciting time of the year where we share love and laughter with those around us, for just as many, it’s a time of … Continue reading Christmas hope.
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:144 One of my favourite games as a child was hide and seek. When it was my turn to hide, I would seek out the best place that I could hide in that also allowed me to see or hear when the seeker was coming. I used to find it really comforting being hidden but still being able to see and hear what was going on; it was as if I was wrapped in an invisible blanket. That’s what its like when we turn to God. In the … Continue reading Minute Devotions: Hiding Place
A few years ago, I was given the privileged to volunteer in an Indigenous community in far north Queensland. I was to be a teacher’s aide for classes one and two, which I was excited about because I love children and spending a few weeks playing teacher was a nice break from the corporate world I was in. I prepared as best as I could and was sent on my way with another lady, both full of excitement, talking about all the things we would do and how fun it would be. Until we landed. On arrival all excitement fled … Continue reading Finding God in the darkness.
2018. It feels like a moment ago we were all celebrating the clock ticking over to 2017, yet here we are on Monday the 1st of January 2018, looking ahead to a new year. A new year. A new beginning. A new season. 2017 was a full-on year for most people, and I for one am glad that it is over. While I would usually write a bit of a reflection post on new year’s, I have decided to do things a little differently this year. This year, I have chosen a word that will define my year and my … Continue reading A new day.
And just like that, Christmas has arrived. Each year it seems that the days go by quicker and quicker and suddenly, you’re standing in line waiting to pay for an armful of Christmas gifts. I don’t know about you, but certainly in my life, it has felt like Christmas has crept up on me and I am completely unprepared for it. However now that it is here, I am so glad because I am ready to stop and rest and just be. I am ready to stop and breathe. It has been a big year. Life has been challenging and … Continue reading On this Christmas Day
Reflections by Leila 